Washington And Lee University Token?

[Greg A]

Can anyone date this and maybe give the back story? I dug it up today and only rinsed it in water. It is ( i believe ) made of bronze. The relief on the obverse is VERY big and the coin is heavy and thick.

Thanks!

 

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[Greg A]

Can anyone date this and maybe give the back story? I dug it up today and only rinsed it in water. It is ( i believe ) made of bronze. The relief on the obverse is VERY big and the coin is heavy and thick.

Thanks!View attachment 1450920View attachment 1450921

Cleaned it up to maybe help in dating...


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[Greg A]

So I wrote to Washington and Lee University and to my surprise they replied right away!

" Greg,
We appreciate you making contact with Washington and Lee’s University Library. The history of the coin you have shared is partly a mystery to us as well. I have seen examples and believe we have one with the same reverse, but a Washington profile unique from your example. These pop up on Ebay and in various online auctions from time to time. We believe they date to the early twentieth century or a bit later. Perhaps they were struck for the W&L Bicentennial commemoration in 1949 – which was quite a milestone for the university and led to the creation of all sorts of related souvenirs, including fine china and first day issue stamps. Here’s a link to similar medal online WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY / WASHINGTON / WAS ONE OF THE / FIRST / BENEFACTORS / OF THE / INSTITUTION / WHICH BEARS / HIS NAME / LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA / WHITEHEAD HOAG (TC-339648) Lexington, Virginia (Rockbridge County), U.S.A.
This one is by “Whitehead and Hoag.” The name lasted between 1892 and 1965, though they were bought out in 1959.

Hope this gives you at least some new information.
Happy Hunting!
Seth


Seth McCormick-Goodhart
Senior Special Collections Assistant
James G. Leyburn Library
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Va. "